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The Argentine opened the scoring in the 'Duel of the Giants' with a low finish from the edge of the area and had a hand in subsequent strikes from Dani Alves - who switched sides and also scored from the spot for the 'Rest of the World' in the second half - and Pablo Osvaldo, before making it 4-0 with a tap-in on 37 minutes.

Pablo Aimar was also on target as 'Messi and Friends' went in 5-1 up at the end of a half that had also featured a missed penalty from Neymar.

However, the Brazil international netted twice after the restart, with the second of those goals coming courtesy of an outrageously nonchalant, first-time chip from all of 45 metres out.

'Messi and Friends' eventually triumphed 8-5 but it appeared that the real winners on the night were not only the children that will benefit from the money raised but also Barcelona, who last month confirmed the €57 million signing of Neymar to play alongside their talismanic No.10 next season.